Let’s say you didn’t have to work, ever. No more: cleaning your home, shopping, vacuuming, laundry, taking the trash out, appointments for car repair, getting ready for work, going to work, working, driving home, making dinner, let’s just say… All of it was over. What would you do with your days? What would your day look like?

I know what I would do… I’d make soap. That might sound silly, even pedestrian, to some, but for me… It’s the bulk of my waking moments, and some times my dreams. I find a rock to sit on along with my trusty sidekick I lay down and let the images of the next soap come to me. What do I smell? The desert doesn’t have a scent most days, but after the rains it brilliant with scents that are hidden the other 360 days. What do I hear? Coyotes calling to each others. Woodpeckers yelling to all who listen where their territory boundaries are. Quail calling to their little broods, their flock to stick together.

How did this love come to be?

We met over Fight Club. Not even kidding, but then my number one love (my man) suggested I make soap.

The seed was planted.

Now, I cannot love making soap enough. My only other goal is to invite those who have the same inclinations into this magical place, where shock is the precursor to joy when someone discovers your creation is actually soap, and not just soap, but amazing soap.

The reason I write and offer stories, related obviously or indirectly, about soap is to stimulate imagination. We can never know what are imagination will cling to. It is my hope that you find some of what I offer useful.

The other part of soap making that I love, which I had no idea would turn out this way, is you. I love our Sorcery Creation group on Facebook, reading your questions, thoughts and seeing your soap creations. I do not exaggerate this comment, as I see love as more then mere sentiment, but action. I show my love and appreciation by offing the most thoughtful responses as possible and strive to never dismiss a thoughtful question. I see how this energy is reciprocated by your support, words of encouragement and the act of offering your very own creations.

Here is a little video of some of the soaps being let-go tomorrow. Along with a ton of Sorcery Soap Dough, which is available now, however, if you want soaps wait until tomorrow after 4 AM AZ / 7 AM EST.

As public as I am, I enjoy my privacy. My privacy contains certain things I hesitate to share, for no other reason but because it feels unreasonable. Until now I have not wanted to share my soap recipe preferences and this will help to explain…

I would like to offer insight to how I work. When I choose to understand something I look to those that have experience and prefer crafts-people who go so far down the rabbit hole that they become experts in that area, seeing things that are not most obvious to others.

Lately, it has come to my attention that my opinion on the recipes of “A Soap Recipe Book of Light and Shadow” might be helpful. I didn’t offer my opinions in the book because I wanted you to choose what you were most attracted to, what ingredients were most accessible in your area and those that would suit you without being influenced by me.

Once you understand fully the terms of saponification and curing, you can see how any soap recipe can be made into soap dough. With that said, there is an ideal balance between soft and hard oil and butters that make for a wonderful soap dough.

After making thousands pounds of soap dough a new awareness has bubbled to the surface.

The first recipe in “A Soap Recipe Book of Light and Shadow” is a very basic recipe. The castor oil can be exchanged for soybean oil with success. I believe there must always be the most basic recipes, one that is reduced to the most essential elements, before we build on that core.

My third and all time favorite recipe is #17. This recipe has my two favorite ingredients, Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter and I adore this recipe. It provides a perfect bar and even more perfect soap dough. If you want just one recipe do try this long time coming, hard earned recipe.

Now, I want to let you know I love all these recipes, each one is my child. I have used each recipe for bars of soap and soap dough, some for their slow trace properties and others for their stout behaviors. I would not have offered them if I found them inferior in any way. I culled the those recipes that weren’t up to snuff and reliable. I have books and books of recipes that didn’t make the cut. All the recipes in “A Soap Recipe Book of Light and Shadow” are tuned and sound, sing a song and each amount exact.

Now, on to the next book… Which I’m working on at this moment (ok, not this very moment, but in the in-between spaces of life). The next book, a Complete Book of all things Soap Dough (not a real title but a focus) I will have written out details of how to create soap cookies, glittered soap creations, basic soap dough shapes, unique Sorcery creations and more soap dough recipes with exotic oils and butters to add to your collection of soap recipes.

Also, there will be a huge dose of inspiration. This part is much more delicate and takes my own authentic inspiration in order to convey. One cannot convey what one does not understand, posses or fully comprehend or it will certainly fall short.

DIY, Do-It-Yourself Gift bag.

I hope the video and downloadable template help you see how to fold the gift bag. It took me a few times, so I used copy paper until I got it right.

A secret to a nicely wrapped package or gift is sharp edges and thoughtful touches, like a sparkly ribbon or a hand written note. Good luck and let me know if this helps!

The “Happy Holidays” is meant as a greeting, and will remain on the inside of the bag, just for a visual. Its another animal (more complex) to show how to print on both sides, so for educational purposes knowing the printable area is useful. When you understand how to fold the bags simple print on the opposite side. Have fun!